Bid to attract more to engineering jobs - 07-05-2008 - 10:42

Changes need to be made if more candidates are to be convinced to take engineering jobs, according to the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).

The industry needs to "dispel its image of hard hats and overalls" if more people are to be tempted into the profession, Engineer Live reports.

Deputy president of the IET, Chris Earnshaw, said it is vital to engage young people in the industry.

This can be done, he said, by making science, technology, engineering and mathematics subjects more attractive to students and by targeting people who may already have left education.

He continued: "Raising awareness that choosing, or retraining, in a career in engineering and technology is entering into a profession which presents well paid, creative and rewarding opportunities is one of the biggest challenges facing the industry."

It was recently revealed the future is looking bright for the engineering sector.

The Manufacturing Institute said growth is likely to remain steady over the next few months.

More engineering jobs pledged after takeover - 30-04-2008 - 18:14

Substantial numbers of engineering jobs are expected to be created in the UK after a Middlesbrough company took over a Scottish firm.

Wilton Engineering Services, driven by the "buoyant" oil and gas sector, has acquired Project Design and Management Services of Aberdeen for an "undisclosed" figure.

The deal is, however, believed to have increased the workforce to 250 employees and could almost double annual turnover from £17 million to £30 million.

David Solely, chairman of Wilton, said the deal would allow the company to enlarge its customer base, move into new markets and secure international contracts.

He told the Northern Echo: "We are thinking in the long term, the overall strategy is to grow the business."

Mr Solely added: "It is a very exciting time for the Wilton Group. It is good news for our workforce and good news for future jobs."

The deal was brokered by the accountants Clive Owen & Co of Darlington and funded by the Royal Bank of Scotland.

New jobs for north-east after engineering deal struck - 30-04-2008 - 18:11

As many as 250 skilled jobs are expected to be created in the north-east of England after the announcement of a new engineering deal.

Chieftain has signed a "massive deal" to supply an oil and gas firm in the area, the Journal has reported.

Shares in the Newcastle company rose 7.5 per cent to 187.5p as it revealed the biggest deal in its 30 year history, without giving details of the contract.

The deal said to reflect the "massive growth" of the oil sector in the area in recent years.

Bill Taylor, Chieftain chief executive, said: "Not only does [the contract] reflect the sheer progress we have made in recent years and the inherent quality of our services offered, it endorses the world-class status of the North East of England in this demanding, high-growth sector.”

According to Thomson Financial, the firm is also hopeful of securing a second deal at some point in 2008.

Nuclear industry expansion 'could create thousands of jobs' - 26-03-2008 - 10:52

Calls have been made to expand Britain's nuclear industry, and create thousands of jobs in the process.

The business secretary John Hutton will say in a speech today that with the expansion of the nuclear sector, 100,000 jobs could be created and £20 billion added to the economy.

Mr Hutton will say today: "There has never been a greater global demand for finance, equipment and skills to build and operate nuclear power stations."

He will add that he wants Britain to be "leading the world" in the development and application of a new generation of low carbon power technology.

Dougie Rooney, from the union Unite has backed Mr Hutton, describing the nuclear potential as a "fantastic opportunity" for the manufacturing industry.

The nuclear industry currently employs an estimated 40,000 workers in the UK.

Meanwhile, during the visit of the French President Nicholas Sarkozy, prime minister Gordon Brown is expected to agree a deal on the construction of new power stations.

EEF optimistic over manufacturing future - 26-03-2008 - 10:51

The chief economist at EEF has said that he is "guardedly optimistic" over the future of the manufacturing sector.

Stephen Radley has said that he believes over the coming year the industry will continue to perform well.

Mr Radley told BBC Radio 5 Live's Wake Up To Money: "Certainly last year we saw that manufacturing probably had its best year for a decade, and I think it's a combination of strong world markets, companies doing a lot to improve their productivity and getting costs down."

He added that the sector has focused on "design, innovation, developing service offerings for customers" in order to do things that are different from competitors in lower-cost countries.

Companies in the manufacturing sector are now moving costs abroad and making more use of lean manufacturing, according to Mr Radley.

The EEF provides manufacturing and engineering support for over 6,000 engineering and technology companies.

£2m engineering research programme launched - 07-03-2008 - 13:24

Cambridge University's Institute for Manufacturing (IfM) is to launch a £2 million research programme which will look into the changes needed in the engineering industry.

The programme, called 'Support Service Solutions: Strategy and Transition', will explore how the industry must react to the movement towards providing product-related services as well as the products themselves.

Duncan McFarlane, Professor of Service and Support Engineering at IfM, said: "Engineering is an incredibly diverse industry and covers projects ranging from the repair of oil rigs to the maintenance of CT scanners in hospitals."

He went on to say that the implications for the industry of a move to new models of customer service are "enormous".

Other universities which will be involved in the study include Bath, Leeds and Nottingham.

Mr McFarlane concluded that companies will need to "reshape themselves to increase their efficiency" and to "sustain the specialist skills whilst coping with lower production levels".

Work has recently begun on a new £15 million building for the IfM.

Engineering jobs set for Teesside - 06-03-2008 - 11:56

Hundreds of engineering jobs are set to be created in Teesside as part of a £250 million project to redevelop a shipyard in the area.

A contract has been awarded to the Teesside Alliance Group to build new drilling rigs at the Haverton Hill yard.

The yard has been closed since 1980 when it was owned by Swan Hunter but will be reopened as the new plans are given the go-ahead.

It is thought that around 800 jobs will be created instantly with thousands more expected as the project is completed and as a result of the effect on other supply businesses.

The project has been described as the biggest fabrication project to be undertaken in the UK in a decade, excluding military schemes.

SeaDragon Offshore has commissioned the project. The company is currently in the process of constructing two sixth generation semi-submersibles, which it claims are among the biggest of their kind in the world.

Manufacturing industry 'performing well' - 03-03-2008 - 10:42

The manufacturing industry is performing well despite the credit crunch, it has been reported.

Research from the Engineering Employers' Federation has revealed that order balances and output in the industry is higher than the yearly average.

Steve Radley, chief economist at the EEF, said: "Despite economic uncertainty and rising costs, manufacturers recorded another quarter of growth and remain confident about their immediate prospects."

He added that it is "vital" that the budget does not make it more difficult for manufacturers to "maintain their resilience by adding to the cost pressures that they face".

More firms who took part in the survey said that they are recruiting more employees than letting people go, according to the EEF.

The research has also revealed that firms in the sector are remaining optimistic about the future, despite the uncertain financial climate.

EEF is the industry body for the engineering and manufacturing industries and supports over 6,000 companies.

EEF: Credit crunch having limited effect - 19-02-2008 - 17:32

British manufacturers are withstanding the impact of the credit crunch amid benefits from the recent fall in the sterling effective exchange rate, an expert has suggested.

Engineering Employers' Federation director-general Martin Temple told Reuters that banks are still lending to the industry at competitive rates.

Experts have predicted that tighter lending conditions will emerge in 2008 and reduce demand for British goods abroad, but so far this development has not occurred, Mr Temple told the news provider.

"Companies have told us that, surprisingly, they haven't been affected by it [credit crunch] … We keep thinking it will tighten up but it hasn't happened. The banks are giving them quite competitive rates," he commented.

Energy prices and the cost of raw materials have recently risen sharply and companies are facing a real squeeze on margins, but the sterling effective exchange rate is favouring manufacturers at present, Mr Temple added.

EEF provides manufacturing, engineering and technology services to British businesses and operates on behalf of more than 6,000 companies.

Engineering has 'optimistic' outlook - 15-02-2008 - 18:21

The chairman of Scotland's Shipbuilding and Engineering Unions has suggested that a Ministry of Defence contract will help to create a significant number of jobs in the Clyde region.

Jim Moohan said that the project to build two aircraft carriers had already seen local shipyards "invest heavily in the skill factor" in a move likely to see new apprentice engineers and shipbuilders taken on, the Evening Times reports.

Commenting on the outlook for the local industry, Mr Moohan said that the sector needed to develop new strategies to pursue "sophisticated" methods of shipbuilding, according to the newspaper.

"I am confident with the skills and experience we will have achieved through the next decade we will be in a position of strength to attract not only the European customer, but also worldwide," he remarked.

The aircraft carriers are to be constructed by a number of shipyards, including BAE Systems' Govan and Scotstoun yards, the BBC reports.

Sunderland set for jobs boost with aircraft carrier construction deal - 07-02-2008 - 14:59

The boss of a Sunderland shipyard has said that the area is in line for a massive jobs boost when work begins on two new aircraft carriers.

Pallion Engineering is one of the firms which are still in the running for the £4.6 billion contract to construct the two huge aircraft carriers which will bring a huge number of engineering jobs with it.

Work was awarded to two south Tyneside shipyards last week after they were awarded sub-contracts but Alan Dickinson of Pallion engineering says there is still work up for grabs in the area.

"To build these aircraft carriers, you need all the capacity there is within the UK. Everybody is going to get something. A&P is a nominated sub-contractor and so are we – this certainly does not rule us out," Dickinson told the Sunderland Echo.

He added that work cannot begin until contracts are signed but he has talked to BAE- the company in charge of the plans- and "they are working hard to get it signed".

Pallion Engineering's services include ship repair, offshore projects and civil engineering.

Recruitment drive for Norfolk engineering company - 18-01-2008 - 09:20

An engineering company in Norfolk has revealed that due to huge growth, it will be looking for over 40 new members of staff.

Cooper Bearings Group has seen a large year-on-year growth and is now carrying out a recruitment drive in order to cope with new orders.

Steve Gates, managing director of the company, told the Eastern Daily Press: "We will still need to recruit a further 100 more people next year, as things are going really well at the company. Cooper is going from strength to strength and we are continuing to secure significant new business in the global market."

The company will be looking for highly skilled employees and will be training young people in order to tackle the skills shortage in the industry.

Employing 286 employees currently, Cooper Bearings manufactures split roller bearings and needs people to fill many roles including management and engineering jobs.

Cooper Bearings has experience in solving customer problems and holds 137 patents.

Rolls-Royce workers present petition to number ten - 17-01-2008 - 09:57

Workers from the Bootle-based Rolls-Royce plant have delivered an 18,000 name petition to 10 Downing Street as they continue to campaign against plans to shut the factory down.

The plant currently employs 212 highly skilled engineers but Rolls-Royce bosses want to shut it down and move the jobs to the US.

Representations were also made yesterday to MPs in Westminster by employees at the Bootle factory, which manufactures turbines for the oil and gas industries.

A final decision is to be made next month on the plant, and unions are attempting to influence that decision by presenting an alternative business plan to Rolls-Royce.

Debbie Brannan, Unite regional officer, said: "We have been led to believe that public funding is available, but it needs Rolls Royce to commit to a ten-year plan staying at Netherton. We're hoping to get as much political pressure as possible on Rolls Royce management."

Meanwhile, Rolls-Royce has announced that it will be cutting 2,300 jobs worldwide in order to cope with rising costs.

New MASFE installed at Thorp plant - 19-12-2007 - 09:19

One of the largest cranes in Europe is being used to help install a new Medium Active Salt Free Evaporator (MASFE) in the Thorp plant at Sellafield.

Part of the roof at the plant has been dismantled in order to lift the pieces of the MASFE into place.

Eleanor Billson, project manager, told News and Star: "The new facility will replace the existing MASFE which is nearing the end of its life. This has been a very challenging project but I'm delighted that we have reached this major milestone."

She added that the whole of the team had pulled together for the project and it is now "six months ahead of the original lifetime plan schedule to install the vessels".

The contract was awarded to Jordan Nuclear in March and is worth £5.9 million. Bendalls Engineering has manufactured the four vessels which are two effect evaporators, an effect separator and a steam stripper.

The first vessel that will be installed weighs almost 20 tonnes and is the size of a double-decker bus.

Jordan Nuclear was formed in 1964 and is the nuclear engineering and decommissioning division of the Redhall Group.

Engineers not affected by credit crunch - 03-12-2007 - 10:58

Engineering and manufacturers companies have not been affected by the credit crunch, according to a report, which may provide a relief for jobseekers looking for engineering jobs.

The research, by the Engineering Employers' Federation (EEF), shows that only three per cent of companies reported a major increase in credit costs.

Steve Radley, EEF's chief economist, said: "Despite rising oil prices, a falling dollar and a more uncertain economic outlook, manufacturers recorded another quarter of healthy growth and are looking to the future with a degree of confidence. Investment intentions also remain strong, reflecting their continuing commitment to drive up productivity."

The report also said that engineering will expand 1.3 per cent this year and a further one per cent next year.

Meanwhile, contracts have been signed for the £260 million second Tyne Tunnel project which will create approximately 400 construction jobs in the area.

The Sunderland Echo reports the majority of jobs will go to local construction companies.

Tree-shaped PC wins Dyson prize - 08-11-2007 - 15:58

A computer shaped like a tree has won the prestigious Dyson Student Design Award in Ireland.

National College of Art and Design student Laura Cauldwell's design called Cultivate the Sustainable Living Computer took the first prize of €2,000 (£1,394) in the award competition set up by designer and entrepreneur James Dyson.

All the computer's components are arranged on the tree's branches.

The mouse, speakers, memory cards processor and battery can be individually accessed and removed to return to the supplier for an upgrade, WEEE compliant recycling or remanufacture.

Aluminium leaves on the branches not only add to the tree-like appearance but also help cool down each unit.

She told PA: "This design promotes and enhances sustainable living. I want to encourage people to think about the environmental impact of the products they use and about their lifestyle in general."

Second place went to an indoor toy to exercise children and combat obesity designed by Marion Barry of Limerick University.

Kate Corish, also of Limerick, took third place for her device for manually handling sheet construction materials.

Brown announces £15k grant for apprentice engineers - 01-11-2007 - 11:04

Prime minister Gordon Brown committed himself to advancing vocational training, making grants of up to £15,000 available for high skill apprenticeships such as engineering.

Apprentices will be able to apply for grants from £3,000 which will be paid through a Skills Account to their employers to shoulder the cost of their training.

As well as making more money available, Mr Brown announced a system to help match young people with business apprenticeships in the same way potential students use Ucas to find a university place.

"Every young person should know that they have something to aim for in their education," he said.

"So at age 18 or 19, each should graduate from school, college or an apprenticeship with good qualifications or an apprenticeship certificate.

"To drive aspirations up, we will ensure that all those reaching 18 or 19 who want to go onto an advanced apprenticeship or further education and training have the resources they need."

Top Scot engineer: ditch export model - 01-11-2007 - 11:03

The man who rescued a Scottish company and created 40 new jobs advised manufacturers and engineers to create more jobs overseas to protect their UK company.

Clyde Blowers chairman Jim McColl, who won the accolade of Scotland's top business leader for his rescue of 450 jobs at failing Weir Pumps in May, advised companies to set up bases abroad instead of relying on the export model.

The engineering entrepreneur told the Herald: "In manufacturing you have to try as much as you can to move away from export type manufacturing, and try to have a base in some of the markets you are in."

As part of the process of finding bases abroad, Clyde Pumps visited various Chinese companies to set up a joint venture.

He added: "It gives us the flexibility. Weir Pumps was more of an exporter, and I think to be more competitive and to export more of those products you need complementary products manufactured at lower cost. We are setting up that infrastructure."

Record intake of chemical engineers for UK unis - 24-10-2007 - 11:08

A record number of students have signed up for chemical engineering courses in 2007, according to Ucas 2007 admission figures.

A total of 1,465 students have opted to study the discipline at UK universities, with the rise continuing a trend.

Since 2001 applications to study chemical engineering have risen by 70 per cent, with the last six years alone seeing a rise of 40 per cent.

Dr David Brown, chief executive at the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) told ProcessingTalk that the good news would be good for the industry.

He said: "This rise proves that more young people are recognizing what a worthwhile and rewarding career a chemical engineering degree can support."

One of the reasons cited for the growth is the important role of chemical engineers.

Head of Chemical Engineering at Strathclyde University, Dr Carl Schaschke said: "The upturn in interest in chemical engineering nationally is a reflection of the changing role and unique skills of the chemical engineer.

"Now, more than at any time in the past, chemical engineers can be found central to meeting the societal needs of energy provision, health care and tackling head-on crucial environmental issues that affect everyone".

Engineering and construction staff 'most wanted' - 22-10-2007 - 16:03

Engineering and construction employers are looking to fill more positions than any other sector in Scotland, according to new figures from the Bank of Scotland Labour Market Report.

Both permanent and part time engineering and construction workers were the most sought after employees, figures revealed.

The study also showed a general rise of permanent and temporary staff appointments across Scotland, though the rise was not as high as earlier in the year.

While salaries grew in September, the growth was also slower than in the summer.

Bank of Scotland group economist Tim Crawford said: "The jobs market in Scotland remains tight and skill shortages were seen across a range of sectors in September. Employment continues to increase in Scotland's major cities."

He added that while growth rates were slightly down, Scotland was still performing above the UK average.

The labour market barometer for Scotland fell from the June high of 64.4 to 60.6, with any figure above 50 signifying expansion. The UK average, of 59.6, was slightly below Scotland's.